It was 5:00 in the afternoon. The sun started to set in the horizons but Asthenosthene and Noelle still did not return to their homes. Instead, they were wearing fancy suits and dresses to attend the King's Ball.
Asty had her eyes closed as Mrs. Pickinns arranged her bright, persimmon-colored hair. She neatly placed a few stands of hair in front of her left shoulder. She then carefully reached for the basket. A basket that contained little, fully-bloomed chrysanthemums.
She conscientiously tucked the little flowers into her hair.
When she was finished, Mrs. Pickinns asked Asthenosthene to open her eyes.
"There. There, look at yourself."
Asthenosthene opened her eyes and found her reflection in a clear mirror. She was wearing a beige, laced dress with ribbons accompanying her neck and arms. The dress went all the way down to her legs.
And for the very first time, she wore polished sandals which she did not know what was made of.
She was simple but presentable.
"Rosellia's favorite flower worn by the sun." Mrs. Pickinns mumbled to herself in delight. Asthenosthene was beautiful.
Asty observed herself in the mirror. Her eyes still couldn't believe that she was wearing clothes that she could never afford and shoes that she could never wear. But here they were, wrapping gently on her small feet.
A scarlet blush formed from her cheek as she realizes that the beautiful woman standing before her, was her.
"Is... this me?"
"You do not have mirrors in the mountains?" Mrs. Pickinns asked.
"I only tried to look at the water for my reflection, Mrs. Pickinns."
"You look wonderful. Rosellia would be pleased."
The tailor did not lie. Asty looked absolutely amazing. With her hair neatly tied and her skin scrubbed, she no longer looked as roguish as she had before.
Mrs. Pickinns did not truly expect Asty's beauty to rise. At first, seeing her feed the sheep and in a few cases, take on the wolves which devoured half of the flock; she had truly believed that Asty had no hoped of being a woman.
Moreover, she would accept jobs which were much suited for males than the females. It was probably the reason why Asty had been rejected by most of the males in their village.
“Oh how the tables have turned,” Mrs. Pickinns thought. “They never thought you could be this beautiful.”
Asty continued to gaze upon herself at the mirror. Suddenly she remembers the purpose of why he had worn these dresses. She had to deliver a message to the Duke.
The thought almost escaped Asty's mind. "That's right. I need to deliver Lady Rosellia's message. How could I forget that even at a single minute?”
“Do not stress yourself. I am certain we will find the Duke. Just take it easy, it not like Rosellia would hit you if you failed to do so.”
“But she would be disappointed.” her eyes lowered. “I don’t want that.”
“Nobody does.” Mrs. Pickinns smiled at her.
Mrs. Pickinns, placed her palms on Asty's exposed shoulders and looked at the mirror with her. "Your looks are average, but if you come to me, I make you even comparable to the late Queen."
Asty chuckled. "Indeed, you are amazing Mrs. Pickinns. Would you come to the Ball with us?"
"Of course," she said with a matter of fact. "Children like you shouldn't be left alone in the Palace, especially that the King had invited the Counts and Countesses. I wouldn't care less about the other Nobles. But those Counts..."
"What about them, Mrs. Pickinns?"
"I hope the King did not invite all of them."
"Are the Counts and Countesses really to be feared?"
For the first time, Asty saw Mrs. Pickinns' brows frown into a sad expression. Her eyes became gentle and soft. "Every Night Hallow is to be feared. They have the means to kill and get away with them. They are always hungry. And they always watch us every night. Not to secure us, but to feed themselves by looking at our vulnerable bodies."
Asthenosthene recalled the few times she had woken up in the middle of the night for unusual scratches. There were times when she peeked from below the sheets into her window.
Oh, how her heart raced when they open the window with their hands and creep on the small spot they opened, only to watch her sleep.
No matter how hard your nails were fastened into the hardwood. No matter how you closed your windows. They would watch. Silently. With a grin on their faces. But they would not touch you. They wouldn't.
They would just watch you as you dream. Some would attack the cattle. But none would speak with them.
The only known Night Hallows who could speak were the Counts and Countesses. The immortals who lurk at the night, for luxury, for pleasure.
"Maybe I can speak with a Count," Asty spoke.
"Oh, even the King feels intimidated speaking with a Count."
"I see..."
"Very well, to the carriage now."
Mrs. Pickinns assisted the young girl into the carriage. Waiting beside it, stood Noelle in his dashing, prince-like formal attire. His hair was fixed and smothered with oils, a few strands falling above his forehead. He smelled fragrant from afar.
He gazed at Asty as she exits along with Mrs. Pickinns. He then called out to her in a cheerful voice. "Asty!"
Asty looked at Noelle and grinned. "Noelle, you look dashing with that attire."
"You think I can charm maybe a few Nobles with this?"
"Maybe?" Asty chuckled.
“Asthenosthene?” a soft motherly voice chimed in.
“Mother?”
The woman hurriedly walked towards her and cupped her face. With a worried face she spoke: “You have to return early? Do you understand?”
Asty nodded. “I will. I promise.”
Her mother glances over to Mrs. Pickinns' direction. Noelle could feel the sudden tension arise between the two. Two overprotective mothers who only wanted the best for their children.
“Madame Athena.” Mrs. Pickinns started.
“Lorna.” Athena, Asty's mother called out. “It has been a while.”
“Indeed. I apologize for bringing Asty along. I will hold responsibility and watch over her.”
“Please do not let her off your sight.”
“I know and I won’t.”
Somehow, Noelle could feel something different between Asty's mom and the strict tailor. It was like, they both knew something that was off the chart.
“Perhaps… we should leave now?” Noelle chimed in, breaking the tension.
“Of course.” Mrs. Pickinns agreed. “We will return shortly, Athena. Do not fret.”
The woman nodded and looked at her daughter. “You look beautiful. But regardless of it, you must behave yourself, okay?”
“Mother. Of course. That was uncalled for, I am already an adult.” Asty shyly replied.
Athena pinched her daughter's cheek. “You have grown so much now.”
Asty smiled at her. Athena gave her a hug and smiled in response.
The navigator of the carriage opened the door. Mrs. Pickinns was the first to get in. The other two followed her inside and sat beside each other.
They were about to go to the Ball.
"Both of you look nervous."Asty and Noelle smiled at Mrs. Pickinns."Mrs. Pickinns, I feel like I'm gonna throw up," Noelle confessed. "I don't feel so good."Mrs. Pickinns rolled her eyes. "Noelle, for the love of God, grow up. You are a grown man and yet the thought of a ball scares you."Noelle waved his hands in the air. "But Mrs. Pickinns, I have never been to a Ball!""It's just music and dancing. Once Asthenosthene delivers the envelope to the Duke, we can leave."Asty's eyes were focused outside of the carriage. Her eyes fixated on the nearby trees that darkened their trail. Her lips were pursed in a straight line as she recalled what her mother had told her when she left her."Asthenosthene, you must return no matter what."The thought lingered on her mind.Asty's mother ha
Noelle, Asty, and Mrs. Pickinns descended from their carriage after arriving at the Palace of Chesterfawn. With glimmering eyes, Noelle and Asty obsequiously stared at the Nobles which displayed beautiful and shimmering regalias.Dresses that are handwoven with sequins and beads which glowed in assonance of the lights. Noelle and Asty stared as the Nobles ascend the beautiful golden glass staircase that led to Palace's gates."Asthenos, Noelle," Mrs. Pickinns proposed. "Let us go inside."Noelle and Asthenosthene immediately followed Mrs. Pickinns on to the staircase, leaving the navigator behind. Asty then glanced back and smiled at him, while waving at him goodbye.The navigator's eyes widened after her gesture. He then raised his hand and waved back at her, while smiling sweetly as they fade from his view.Asty returned her gaze to the view in front of her. There
BEFORE THE BALL, WOODS OF ERANAFrom the far distance, just above the humongous sea of trees stood three silhouettes engulfed by darkness. Even as the full moon shone from beyond, they can never be fully seen. It was like, somehow, the light never truly liked them, as it never dared reach to illuminate their skin.But somehow only their eyes could be distinguished from the far sight. As the palace sentries spot them from afar, they fled with their lamps and soiled their pants, leaving their spears falling onto the hard ground. Frightened as they recognized their silhouettes, they did not dare waste a second and immediately bailed. They knew that interacting with them was up to no good."They really fear us." a female voice croaked."Is the Palace really holding a Ball?" another voice chimed in, it was more of a hoarser and chilling tone."I heard every Count and Countesses
GARDEN"The Duke of Illum is blind and deaf."The mysterious man's voice resonated in Asty's head for a few seconds. While clutching the creased envelope, she remained standing still before him, perplexed and speechless.What was she here for all this time?The male with the blue eyes, took the envelope gently from her stiffened hands and gave her a pleasant smile."I will give this envelope to the King, instead. There could be something inside." he offered to her. He places his huge gloved hands above her lowered head and caressed her hair gently.The towering male lowered his gaze at the fear-stricken woman. She was incredibly young, and her looks truly, was a mystery.But no matter which unknown method he used, it would always result in one answer. The girl is human and none of her blood hinted the slightest of a Night Hallow.The girl
As the Nobles swing into the beautiful and vast ballroom, the King of Chesterfawn remained seated on the top of the stairs.Somewhere, deep inside him- consternation rises. No matter where his eyes looked, he could never spot the person or perhaps creature, that he was looking for."Your Majesty."His bright green eyes blinked, and then he turned his head to find a woman clad in a beautiful red regalia. Her hair was tied in beautiful shimmering ribbons and she wore a gentle smile on her small face."Your Majesty, Her Highness, Loretta Lynn is here." one of his servants whispered. "I brought her here because she demanded to see you."The King ignored the princess. She looked at him, hurt, and lowered her gaze. "Your Majesty," she called out to him."Princess Loretta," he began, while his eyes still focused on the ballroom. "What is it?"His cold voice had the princes
The King resumed the celebration, fire igniting in his chest. At last, the Count of Erana has come to see him. He would say that his grand entrance did quite amuse him a bit.After the Count's proud introduction and bewitchment to the ladies inside the ballroom, he was asked to ascend the staircase to confide with the King.As Chaol's silhouette shifted through the glass staircase, Asty could not help but observe him. His voice. His voice was extremely familiar to her."The rumored Count of our village," Noelle whispered to Asty and Mrs. Pickinns. "He seems pretty intimidating. I mean look at the other Countesses and Counts. Their legs are barely even managing to lift them up."Mrs. Pickinns squeezed Noelle's ear. "Hush! They will hear you!""That man..." Asty began, her bright orange eyes still fixated on the male. She observed him as he speaks with the King with ease. But she could not
On the far side of the ballroom, Asty's group had gathered in one table to dine. They listened on the harmonious classical music that was playing on the background."The Palace does really have the best musicians, don't they?" Noelle whispered.Asty nods. "Yeah. I think so too!"Asty wiped her lips gently with a piece of cloth after having her meal. Mrs. Pickinns and the carriage navigator were busy dining.They were seated in a massive table wrapped in pristine white, handwoven tablecloths with different exquisite cuisines above. From tender, juicy meat of unknown origins to perfectly spiced seafood to mouth watering desserts, everything was displayed before them.Meanwhile as they were minding their businesses, a few male nobles stole glances at the group from the other table. They were constantly sharing whispers with one another.Mrs. Pickinns closed her e
"Do you mind if I invite you to a dance?"Chaol smiled pleasantly at Asty. Though she could not how his lips formed an arc, she could tell by looks of his eyes."I..."The count arched his back slightly, in order to level his face with hers. "It is alright if you refuse, though it would be a shame. I'd like to know more about you.""I... I don't really know how to dance. I am not a Noble."Chaol shifted his mask to his comfort. "I do not mind teaching you as we go."Asty gazed at his polar hues, she immediately recognized him. He was the male at the Garden. She gulped."W-Weren't you the man I gave the envelope to?"An idea popped inside the male's head. Chaol reached into his suit. He shows her the envelope which was placed inside his formal blazer. "It is still with me. I would give it to His Majesty if you'd dance with me."Asty